New foreign aid law saw Republicans go different ways

Apr. 24—In backing President Joe Biden's request for military aid for Ukraine after months of delays, Congress saw Democrats unified, but regional Republicans had different policy preferences.

U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, the Republican who represents St. Joseph and all of northern Missouri, voted in favor of H.R. 8035, worth more than $61 billion in military aid for the forces trying to stop Russia from conquering Ukraine. Hostilities have raged since 2014, though the Kremlin's full-scale invasion began in earnest in February 2022. Joining Graves in support of H.R. 8035 was U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, who represents most of eastern Kansas, including Doniphan, Brown and Atchison counties. H.R. 8035 passed 311-112 in the House in a vote held last Saturday.

In a statement, Graves said the aid is necessary to counter a series of foreign policy setbacks that have occurred on Biden's watch, representative of "unprecedented weakness to our allies and adversaries around the globe." Graves' office did not respond to a request for an interview.

"... The House sent a clear message that we will stand up to support our allies and hold the president accountable for his failures," Graves said.

LaTurner has offered no statement explaining his decision to vote in favor of H.R. 8035, and his office did not respond to a request for one. However, LaTurner has previously spoken in favor of the Ukrainian cause.

"The world needs a strong, sturdy and determined America as much as ever before. The United States and our allies must continue to be very clear in our message to the rest of the world: Vladimir Putin is a war criminal and must be held accountable for his unprovoked and evil attack on Ukraine," LaTurner said in 2022, after visiting the war-torn country.

U.S. House of Representatives members who are Democrats all voted in unison for H.R. 8035, including U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, who represents all of Jackson County and part of Clay County. Cleaver's vote of support was echoed by U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, who represents Kansas City, Kansas, as well as Johnson County, Kansas, and the surrounding area.

Following passage by the House, H.R. 8035 advanced to the U.S. Senate, where delegates elected to cast a single vote approving H.R. 8035 and three other bills all at once. This single vote passed 79-18 with broad support from both parties. However, both U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt and U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri voted "no." The two are among the most conservative Republicans in the chamber. In Kansas, U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall voted "no," while the more moderate Republican, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, voted "yes."

"Another $60 billion for Ukraine. Not a penny for Missouri," Hawley said on X, formerly Twitter, explaining his opposition. "And they're waving Ukraine flags on the floor of the House. The politicians have failed this country."

The final result, entitled the Supplemental Appropriations Act, contains $26 billion to support Israel in its ongoing hostilities against Iran and Hamas, and $8 billion to counter the influence of China and help shore up the defenses of Taiwan. There are no active hostilities between China and Taiwan, but the risk of war in eastern Asia over China's desire to govern that island has been a regular topic in foreign policy news.

Elsewhere in Missouri, U.S. Reps. Mark Alford, Jason Smith and Eric Burlison, all Republicans, voted "no" on the Ukraine bill, H.R. 8035. Democratic U.S. Rep. Cori Bush and Republican U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner of the St. Louis area voted "yes." U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer did not vote on H.R. 8035. The House was nearly unified in approving the separate bills for Israel and Taiwan that the Senate ended up combining in its 79-18 vote on Tuesday.

Marcus Clem can be reached at marcus.clem@newspressnow.com. Follow him on Twitter: @NPNowClem